Amanda Sharp

Amanda Sharp’s career, along with Matthew Slotover – her partner in vision and ambition – has perfectly woven together creativity and entrepreneurship to produce both Frieze and the restaurant Toklas.

Her story begins in the mid-’80s during her time at Oxford, where the seeds of a restaurant idea were sown. Instead of pursuing her gastronomic dreams immediately, Sharp ventured into the world of art and journalism, birthing Frieze magazine in 1991, an endeavour that burst onto the contemporary art scene with perfect timing.

After decades of shaping Frieze into the global platform we know today, she shifted gears to the gastronomy scene. Toklas emerged from a passion for food, art and conviviality. Named after the iconic Alice B Toklas, the restaurant embodies the spirit of inclusivity and creativity, much like its namesake’s legendary soirées.

Sharp believes that clear communication, decisive action, humility and a relentless pursuit of excellence form the essence of effective leadership. However, she acknowledges that her gender has prompted people to question her ability in the past. ‘Enjoy your success as a woman leader, but do not be surprised when you see discrimination,’ says Sharp. ‘Voice your concerns, never accept the status quo and always push hard.’

As she embraces a new chapter of giving back, she continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and leaders, leaving an indelible mark on art, culture and gastronomy.

toklaslondon.com

Dr Dana Sinclair

Dana Sinclair’s career journey reflects what happens when athletic prowess meets a commitment to psychological well-being. Having represented Canada in both field hockey and ice hockey during her university years, she also earned a PhD in psychology and in experimental psychology. This solid foundation led her to become a top performance psychologist for CEOs, Olympians and more.

Sinclair’s approach to optimising performance in her clients involves crafting personalised psychological strategies to help them navigate pressure moments with clarity and focus. ‘I have worked on many memorable cases,’ says Sinclair, ‘but helping someone through a severe needle phobia, so they could finally take a blood test is one that stands out.’

This year, Sinclair released Dialed In, a smart and effective book that showcases her decades of training and experience. Her aim with this book was to offer accessible insights and practical tools to those looking to excel when they are experiencing negative feelings.

Working in a predominantly male-dominated field, Sinclair acknowledges the challenges she has faced throughout her career: ‘I have had to deal with some bad behaviour and dismissive attitudes that many of my male colleagues have not had to navigate. Whenever I have been vexatiously challenged, I listen and stay emotionally grounded, then I can decide whether to push back directly or ignore the nonsense. That way I can keep my focus on performing my best.’

drdanasinclair.com

Ali Warburton and Emily Warburton-Adams  

Ali Warburton and her daughter Emily Warburton-Adams are the co-founders of Pow Food, the first and only female-owned B Corp-certified catering company in the UK. With a commitment to sustainability and nutrition, they have revolutionised workplace dining and raised awareness of the power of healthy eating, becoming London’s leading contract caterer for private banks and hedge funds in central London.

The journey began in 2018 when Ali, an industry luminary with 15 years of healthy catering experience under her belt, and Emily, a health coach and mental health advocate, noted the lack of healthy catering in the corporate sector and the positive impact this shift in habit could have on a company’s productivity and well-being.

Despite encountering challenges as women entrepreneurs in securing investments in a predominantly male-dominated industry, their organic growth trajectory grew due to their resilience and determination and, quickly, the industry accolades followed.

In March 2023, Pow Food scored its proudest achievement to date by earning the prestigious B Corp certification. Emily’s relentless drive spearheaded this accreditation, underscoring their steadfast commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. In 2023, Pow Food also won the coveted title of healthiest caterer of the year with Lux Life, alongside multiple Nourish and Great Taste awards.

With women constituting 80 per cent of their team (and with Pow Food boasting a remarkable 95 per cent staff retention rate), Ali and Emily continue to inspire and lead, supporting women in the food industry and shaping the future of healthy catering in London and beyond.

powfood.co.uk

Dr Christina Makris

Christina Makris is an author and consultant with a diverse portfolio career, and spends her days blending philosophy with business strategies to drive engagement and foster innovation across various sectors.

With a background rooted in academia, Christina has two MAs, one MPhil and a doctorate in philosophy, along with participating in extensive research and lecturing in phenomenology, critical theory and aesthetics. Her academic journey instilled in her a passion for creating and justifying new ideas, which she carries into her consultancy projects and venture capital investments, particularly in renewable energy, technology and hospitality.

Her book, Aesthetic Dining: The Art Restaurant Around the World, serves as both a guide and a love letter to the cultural significance of restaurants as spaces for aesthetic experiences and community engagement. Putting her knowledge and expertise to good use, Makris recognises restaurants as vital cultural spaces and celebrates the intersections between art and dining.

As a woman navigating traditionally male-dominated industries, she advocates for building strong relationships: ‘Your position as a high-powered woman will only grow stronger as you nurture other strong women in positions around you.’

Looking ahead, Makris will continue to explore the connections between art, wine and luxury while spearheading initiatives to recognise restaurants as cultural spaces, with London as the pilot for this campaign.

christinamakris.com

Sonya Barlow

Sonya Barlow, a British Pakistani entrepreneur and diversity advocate, has overcome numerous challenges throughout her successful career. Graduating from Luiss Guido Carli University and Bayes Business School in 2015, Barlow began her career in the tech industry, leading transformative projects across Europe while grappling with feelings of isolation, unsupportive managers, and the realisation of her neurodivergence.

Fed up with feeling marginalised and overlooked, Barlow founded the LMF (Like Minded Females) Network in 2020. Initially a brunch club, it quickly blossomed into a community of over 1,000 individuals, empowering each other to better themselves in and out of the workplace. Despite pandemic disruptions, Barlow’s resilience and adaptability led to notable achievements during this time, including securing a book deal and being recognised as LinkedIn’s Top Voice for 2021.

In 2021, the BBC approached her and expressed interest in hiring her to host a radio show. ‘As a woman of colour, you are rarely given the opportunity to speak,’ says Barlow. ‘My confidence in public speaking grew through having this radio show. In 2022, The Everyday Hustle was named best radio show in the country, which was such an achievement as we were up against some really historical names.’ As a renowned public speaker, Barlow aims to amplify marginalised voices and challenge corporate norms.

Her journey and success serves as inspiration to embrace authenticity and resilience in pursuit of your dreams.

sonyabarlow.co.uk

Tilly Wood

Tilly Wood began her career in the world of modelling at the age of 16, catapulting her into a whirlwind of glamour and opportunity that fuelled her love for partying and independence. Amid the fun of her teenage years, she began to find solace in a holistic approach to health and well-being and, kissing goodbye to her “party girl” ways years later, she began to fantansise about life outside of the spotlight.

With the pandemic disrupting her original plans to establish a wellness retreat with her husband, Wood pivoted and channelled her energy into starting a fragrance company, Aja Botanicals, instead.

Collaborating closely with master perfumers, she sought to redefine the landscape of fine fragrance, infusing her candles and diffusers with essential oils to help with mental clarity and relaxation. Talking to Tilly about her desires for Aja Botanicals she said, ‘I wanted to support women in high-powered roles through our fragrances as they have the power to transform your energy through scent, bringing joy and relaxation to all.’

With the imminent launch of new fragrances, and an expansion into eau de parfums, she continues to push boundaries and expand her ever-evolving business.

ajabotanicals.com